Godat



E. GODAT Feb. 14, 1956 MANDREL 2 Sheets-Sheet l IL-um INVENTOR. f/V// BY w /g' ATTORNEY Filed March 9, 1953 United States Patent O MANDREL Edmond Godat, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to United States Rubber Company, New York, N.. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 9, 1953, Serial No. 341,086

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-72) This invention relates to a mandrel for supporting a spool of fabric or other sheet material. In particular, it relates to a mandrel incorporating special structure for locking a spool to the mandrel.

It is common practice to support a spool on a rotatable mandrel to facilitate winding and unwinding of fabric or other sheet material from the spool. Mandrels heretofore used were commonly square or polygonal in crosssection and were adapted to snugly lit into a square or polygonal bore of a spool so that the mandrel and spool were keyed together. On continued use, however, the bore of the spool became badly worn with the result that the mandrel no longer snugly fitted the bore of the spool and the spool could move slightly relative to the mandrel. This slight relative movement between the spool and the mandrel made it impossible to wind or unwind fabric properly from the spool, thereby necessitating frequent replacement of the spools.

One object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a mandrel incorporating special locking structure which will tightly grip and lock a spool on the mandrel even when the bore of the spool is badly worn or slightly oversized. 1

Another object is to provide a mandrel incorporating special locking structure which is of simple construction so .that it may be easily fabricated and maintained.

yA still further object is to provide a mandrel incorporating special locking structure which may .be easily and quickly actuated to lock or unlock .the spool.

To accomplish the above advantages, the mandrel of the present invention includes an elongated shaft over which the spool is adapted kto be placed. The shaft is provided with at least two retractable fingers adaptedl to be extended from opposite sides of the shaft so as to engage the `bore of the spool. The vfingers are so positioned that vthey will twist Vthe spool when they are extended to tightlyV wedge the spool on the shaft even `when the bore kof the spool is worn or slightly oversized. The fingers are actuated by a rod which is operatively connected to the lingers and slidably `mounted in .an axial bore in the shaft. Sliding movement of the rod to 'actuate the fingers is provided by actuating cams in .one embodiment of the invention and by va fluid actuated cylinder in another embodiment of the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the present inventionV when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawn ings wherein: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of one embodiment of the mandrel of the present invention in which cams are 4used to impart movement to the rody away, .of ,a portion of the mandrel of Fig. l showing the relative positions of the locking fingers and the ICC connection between the locking fingers and the actuating rod;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l showing how the locking fingers upon being extended twist the spool to tightly wedge it on the mandrel;-

Fig. 5 is an isometric view showing the details of one of the locking fingers;

Fig-6 is a longitudinalview, partly in section, showing another embodiment of the mandrel of the present invention in which a fluid actuated cylinder is used to irnpart movement to the rod to actuate the fingers; and

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the mandrel of Fig. 6 showing the locking fingers extended.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Fig. l of the drawings, the mandrel of the present invention includes a shaft 10 having a square end. Shaft 10 is rotatably supported at one end by spaced bearings 11 and 12 carried by a stationary housing 13. Housing 13 is intended to be secured by any suitable means of attachment, such as by Welding, to a suitable supporting structure (not shown).

Shaft 10 is provided with an axially extending bore 14 in which is slidably mounted a rod 15. A longitudinally extending slot 16, best shown in Fig. 3, is provided in a side 17 of the shaft 10 and communicates with the bore 14. It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the slot 16 is positioned to one side of the center line, denoted by the line A-A, of the side 17. Expressed in another manner, the slot 16 is positioned on one side of a plane, denoted by the line` B-B in Fig. 4 perpendicular yto the side 17 and passing through the longitudinally extending axial center line of the shaft 10. A similar longitudinally extending `slot 18 is provided in the opposite parallel side 19. Slot 18 also communicates with the bore 14 and is positioned .to one side of the center line of the side 19 but on the opposite side fromthat of slot 16. Expressed in another manner, theA slot 18 lis positioned on the opposite side `of a plane, denoted by the line B-B in Fig. 4, perpendicular to the sides 17 and 19 and passing through the axial centerline ofthe shaft 10 from the slot 16. It can be .be seen, therefore, that the slots 16 and 18 provided in the opposite parallel sides 17 and 19 occupy an olf-cen- ,tered relationship relative to the axially extending center line of the shaft.

A flat, generally L-shaped finger 20 is pivotally mounted `in slot 16 on a pivot pin 21 which extends transversely ,through the shaft 10. The finger 20 is pivotally mounted at the juncture of its two legs 22 and 23 with the leg 22 extending into the slot towards the rod 15. Referring to Fig. 5, the leg 22 of the finger 20 has a circular boss 24 formed on one side thereof adjacent the end of the leg. As best shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4, the boss 24 extends in between and is engaged by two shoulders 25 and 26 formed on the rod 15 by a reduction in diameter of the rod at this point. It can be seen, therefore, that movement of the rod 1S in a direction away from the vhousing l13 will pivot finger 20 ,in a direction to extend :the leg 23 thereof from the vsurface of the side 17 as shown in solid lines in Fig. l and movement of the rod 15 inthe other direction Iwill pivot linger 20 in a direction to retract the leg 23 so that the edge thereof lies flush with the side 17 as shownin dashed lines in Fig, l.

A similar locking finger 27 is pivotally mounted in a similar manner on a pivot pin* 28 in slot 18 and is provided with a similar circular boss 29 which extends be- ,ftween and is engaged by shoulders 25 and 26 formed Yon the rod 15. It can be seen, therefore, that the locking .linger 27 will be retracted or extended by a movementof the rod 15 simultaneously with the retraction or extension .of the lfinger 20.

The bore 14 of the shaft 10 is enlarged in a diameter for a substantial distance adjacent the end thereof to accommodate a compression spring 30 which surrounds a portion 31 of the rod 15 which is of reduced diameter. Spring Sti is retained in a partially compressed condition between washers 32 and 33 which bear respectively against retaining ring 34 secured in the enlarged portion of the bore 14 adjacent the end thereof and shoulder 35 formed on rod 15 at the point that is reduced in diameter to form the reduced portion 31. lt can be seen, therefore, that the spring 311 normally biases the rod 15 in a direction away from the housing 13 to extend the fingers 2i) and 27 as shown in Fig. l.

The rod 15 is adapted to be moved in a direction to retract the fingers 20 and 27 by means of a pair of mating saw-tooth cams 36 and 37. Cam 36 which is annular in forni and has projecting tapered cam teeth 38 formed on one face thereof is secured to the end of the housing 13 by means of screws 39 and 4t). Mating cam 37 is rotatably mounted on an annular pilot member 41 which surrounds the rod 15 at one end thereof and is retained thereon by a retaining ring 42 set in a groove 43 formed in the end of the rod 15. Cam 37 is provided with projecting tapered cam teeth 44 which engage the cam teeth 3S. Cam 37 is adapted to be rotated by means of a handle 46 secured thereto. Rotation of cam 37 relative to cam 36 serves to move cam 37 away from cam 36 as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. l by reason of engagement of the cam teeth 38 and 44. This movement of cam 37 is transmitted to pilot member 41 by engagement of an internal shoulder 47 formed on the cam 37 and an external shoulder 48 formed on the pilot member 41. Movement of pilot member 41 is transmitted to rod 15 by engagement thereof with retaining ring 42. Movement so transmitted to rod 15 retracts the fingers 20 and 27 and further compresses spring 36. Pilot member 41 in addition to providing a support for the cam 37 also serves by reason of its sliding engagement with the bore of the cam 36 to guide the movement of the rod 15.

In utilizing the mandrel of Fig. l to support a spool such as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 and generally designated by the reference number 49, the cam 37 is first rotated by means of the handle 46 to move the rod 15 in a direction to retract the fingers 20 and 27. The spool 49 is then slipped over the end of the shaft while the lingers are retracted. Cam 37 is then rotated a few degrees so that the projecting cam teeth 44 of the cam 37 drop into the recesses between the cam teeth 38 of the cam 36, which allows the spring 30 to move rod in a direction to extend the fingers 20 and 27. As the fingers and 27 extend, they engage the bore 50 of the spool 49 and if the bore Stl is worn or oversized they will twist the spool because of their off-centered relationship to tightly wedge the spool 49 on the shaft as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown a modification of the mandrel shown in Fig. l. This modification differs from the mandrel of Fig. l in that a fiuid actuated cylinder is used to move the actuating rod in the direction to extend the locking fingers and a spring is used to move the rod in a direction to retract the fingers.

As shown in Fig. 6, this modification includes a shaft 51 having a square end which is rotatably mounted at one end in spaced bearings 52 and 53 carried by a housing 54. Shaft 51 is provided with an axial bore 55 in which is slidably mounted an actuating rod 56. Locking fingers 57 and 58 are pivotally mounted in slots provided in opposite sides of the shaft 51 and are operatively connected to the rod 56 and function in the same manner as described in connection with the locking fingers 20 and 27 of the mandrel shown in Fig. l. A second set of fingers 59 and 60 identical with fingers 57 and 58 are similarly pivotally mounted in slots in opposite sides of the rod of the shaft 51 at a point longitudinally spaced from the fingers S7 and 58 and are also operatively connected to the rod 56 in the same manner as described in connection with the locking fingers 20 and 27 of the mandrel shown in Fig. l.

A compression spring 61 surrounds the rod 56 adjacent one end thereof and is held in a partially compressed condition between a shoulder 62 formed by enlargement of the bore 55 adjacent one end thereof and a collar 63 secured to the rod 56. A cylinder 64 is secured to a plate 65 by means of screws 66 and 67. Plate 65 in turn is secured to the end of the housing 54. The end of the rod 56 is secured to the piston 68 of the cylinder 64 so that when fiuid under pressure is admitted to cylinder 64 by means of a conduit 69 the rod 56 will be moved in a direction to simultaneously extend the locking fingers 57, 58, 59 and 60 to the position shown in Fig. 7 and will further compress the spring 61. When fluid under pressure is released from the cylinder 64, the compressed spring 61 moves the rod 56 in a direction to retract the locking ngers 57, 53, 59 and 6i). The modification of Fig. 6 otherwise functions in the same manner as the mandrel shown in Fig. l to lock a spool thereto.

While two sets of locking fingers have been shown in Fig. 6 and only one set shown in Fig. l, it is to be understood that this is for the purpose of illustration only and that two or more sets could be used in the mandrel of Fig. l and only one set could be used on the mandrel of Fig. 6 if desired.

From the above description, it can be seen that there is provided a mandrel of very simple construction which may be easily fabricated and maintained. The novel arrangement of the locking fingers insures that a spool will be tightly locked on the mandrel even though the bore of the spool is worn or oversized.

It is to be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings are for the purpose of illustra tion only and not by way of limitation and changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A mandrel for a spool having a polygonal bore comprising, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides, extensible and retractable fingers mounted in each of said opposed sides in an off-center relationship with respect to the axially extending center line of the shaft so that when said fingers are extended they will twist the spool to tightly wedge it on said shaft.

2. A mandrel for a spool having a polygonal bore comprising, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides, extensible and retractable fingers mounted in each of said two opposed sides, means for extending and retracting said fingers, the fingers mounted in one of said opposed sides being extensible from said one opposed side only on one side of a plane perpendicular to said opposed sides and passing through the axially extending center line of the shaft, the fingers mounted in the other of said opposed sides being extensible from said other opposed side only on the opposite side of said one side of said plane whereby when said fingers are extended they will twist the spool on the shaft and tightly wedge it thereon.

3. A mandrel for a spool having a polygonal bore comprising, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides, slots in each of said opposed sides, the slots in one opposed side being positioned on one side only of a plane perpendicular to said opposed parallel sides and passing through the axially extending center line of the shaft, the slots in the other of said opposed parallel sides being positioned on the other side of said plane, extensible and retractable fingers mounted into slots, and means for extending and retracting said fingers.

4. A mandrel for a spool having a polygonal bore comprising, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides, slots in each of said opposed sides, the slots in one opposed side being positioned on one side only of a plane perpendicular to said opposed parallel sides and passing through the axially extending center line of the shaft, the slots in the other of said opposed parallel sides being positioned on the other side of said plane, substantially L-shaped fingers pivotally mounted in said slots with one leg thereof extending inwardly, au axially extending bore in said shaft communicating with said slots, a rod slidably mounted in said bore and operatively connected to said one leg of each of said L-shaped fingers and means for moving said rod to pivot said lingers to extend the other leg of each of said L-shaped fingers from said slots.

5. A mandrel for a spool comprising, a housing, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides rotatably mounted at one end in said housing, slots in each of said opposed sides, substantially L-shaped lingers pivotally mounted in said slots with one leg thereof extending inwardly, the slots and lingers in said opposed parallel sides being olf-centered with respect to each other and the axially extending center line of the shaft whereby the lingers when extended will twist the spool to tightly wedge it on the shaft, an axially extending bore in said shaft communicating with said slots, a rod slidably mounted in said bore and operatively connected to said one leg of each of said L-shaped fingers, a fluid cylinder attached to the end of said housing, a piston in said cylinder, means connecting one end of said rod to said piston, and means for admitting fluid under pressure to move said piston and rod to actuate said fingers.

6. A mandrel for a spool comprising, a housing, an elongated shaft polygonal in cross-section and having two opposed parallel sides rotatably mounted at one end in said housing, slots in each of said opposed sides, substantially L-shaped lingers pivotally mounted in said slots with one leg thereof extending inwardly, an axially extending bore in said shaft communicating with said slots, the slots and lingers in said opposed parallel sides being off-centered with respect to each other and the axially extending center line of the shaft whereby the fingers when extended will twist the spool to tightly wedge it on the shaft, a rod slidably mounted in said bore and operatively connected to said one leg of each of said L-shaped fingers, a cam attached to said housing, a mating cam attached to one end of said rod, means for effecting relative movement between said cams to move said rod to thereby actuate said L-shaped lingers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

